"There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy." -William Shakespeare, Hamlet
The lesson entitled "Do You Want to Be Happy?" indicated that there are two kinds of happiness that human beings need and seek: physical, or external happiness (comfort, good food, material things, etcetera) and internal or spiritual happiness (joy, friendship, love). Human beings seek two kinds of happiness because there are two aspects to a human being: inner and outer.
Inner nature and outer form
In fact, if we think about it, we will realize that every being has two aspects or dimensions that co-relate. One we may call the “inner nature,” the other the “outer form.” Here are some examples of inner nature and outer form:
Human beings: Mind / Body Animals: Instinct / Body Plants: Inner directive nature / Cells, tissues Minerals: Inherent nature / Matter and energy
It is important to understand how these two aspects are related to each other. We will examine this principle in more detail below.
Invisible and visible
A driver with engine trouble is standing on the edge of the road. A repairman arrives, opens the hood, and investigates the trouble. Then he seizes a hammer and gives the engine a strong blow and the engine starts running again. The driver is amazed. But he is even more amazed when the man asks $100 for the repairs. On the bill he reads: 1 hammer blow $5"Know how" $95 Total:$100 You might think that this is an example of exploitation, but it shows that knowledge, although intangible, is valuable. Sometimes people say, “I only believe in things that are real and verifiable.” But if we think about it, there are many things that are real which we cannot touch, such as love, beauty, and knowledge. Can we see knowledge or put it in a bag? No, it is invisible.
Another way to understand this is to examine language. Words themselves are bearers of meaning. While one can see a word if it is written down, or hear it if it is spoken, meanings are invisible and intangible. Yet the whole purpose of language is to convey meaning. Words are arranged in a sentence in a particular order so as to convey meaning. When we read a novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, we can analyze his use of language, grammar and literary form, but if we stop there we miss an important dimension of the book. In the same way, when we look at a painting like the Mona Lisa, if we just look at what kinds of paints and colors were used and ignore its intangible dimension, we will miss out on what has made that work of art famous and enduring for hundreds of years. It is the invisible aspect of a thing that determines its value.
The same principle applies to human character. A woman may be physically beautiful but also vain, dishonest, manipulative and selfish. Another woman may be rather plain or even unattractive but also modest, honest, sincere and unselfish. Many people are not good judges of character and do not know how to assess and value a person. They judge superficially and inappropriately, looking only at the outer form (the body) and fail to understand that it is the inner character (the mind) which decides how the outer form will act.
Eric's story
Eric was a borderline geek. He was pale, had pimples, and hair that might have been any color--sort of a mousy brown. He was one of those sub-average kids nobody paid much attention to--a high school nothing.
Then one day the music teacher started talking about Eric's piano playing. He said that music just poured out of Eric--that he had the potential to be a great pianist. He arranged for Eric to play a piano solo at the school concert.
Dull, ordinary, slightly geeky Eric was a master when he sat at the piano. The whole auditorium sat in awe-stricken silence as the music poured out and over them, charged with the passion of Eric's soul and the mastery of his flying fingers. No one had known Eric had that much power and beauty and talent inside of him. They were impressed. From then on, people treated Eric with more respect.
Have you ever discovered some hidden talent or ability in someone who previously had seemed on the outside to be a "nothing"?
Order and chaos
Suppose that you have done exceptionally well at school and are to graduate with honors. Your parents promise to buy you a watch for doing so well. How would you feel if they gave you a small bag of gray powder? Hurt? Perplexed? "But," your parents tell you, "It is the finest watch powder. It is a mixture of steel powder, gold powder, and ruby powder, all in the necessary proportions that make up a watch."
If your parents gave you such a present you would probably think they were crazy. There is a big difference between a watch and watch powder, even though the material is the same. The difference is qualitative: the method and manner in which the matter is arranged, the function of the watch, its ability to tell the time, and the creative investment of energy by the watchmaker. Someone constructed the watch for a purpose. It is the design, which started in the watchmaker’s mind that determined the shape and structure of the watch. It is the design that adds value.
Another example could be taken from the world of minerals. The element carbon can exist in several quite different forms, such as coal, graphite and diamond. The carbon atoms in a lump of coal and a diamond are identical. Yet the first is soft, black, dull, plentiful, and cheap, while the second is hard, clear, dazzling, rare, and expensive. Imagine what would happen if a man gave his wife a lump of coal instead of a diamond on their fiftieth wedding anniversary! It is not the atoms themselves that determine value, but the way in which the atoms are arranged. The visible external structure is a reflection of the internal invisible structure.
The invisible inner aspect is the organizing principle that allows the visible outer form to resemble its expression. Thus, the emotions we feel are expressed on our faces: When we are happy, we smile; when we are sorrowful, we cry. Our attitudes are clearly revealed through our “body language.” Since this is the case, we can learn and understand a lot about a person's character by studying his or her behavior and mannerisms. In much the same way, scientists try to uncover the hidden laws that govern nature by studying the phenomena they encounter.
For every event that has an explanation in natural terms, there is an invisible dimension underlying the reason why it happened; and it is this which gives it its ultimate meaning. The point is we must recognize both aspects, remembering that it is the internal dimension that determines the quality, meaning, and value of life.
Therefore, we would say that it is a basic principle of the universe that the inner aspect of something, including a human being, takes priority over the outer aspect. It is the inner aspect that holds the true essence of a person, being, or thing. When you are making choices for your life, listen to your inner self--your mind--not just your body's desires.
Example: There was a picture of Hillary Rodham Clinton in one of the major news magazines in the United States after her husband's sexual betrayal with White House assistant Monica Lewinsky. In the picture, Hillary Clinton was smiling. The magazine authors instructed readers to cover Hillary's smiling mouth with their hands and look at her eyes. With the external smile covered, the reader could see the expression in Hillary's eyes, which was one of sorrow, struggle, and pain. Sometimes, even when the mouth is smiling widely, the eyes show us more what is going on inside the person's mind and heart.
Questions for discussion
1. Give some examples of inner nature and outer form in human beings, animals, plants and minerals.
2. How would you describe inner nature and outer form?
3. How is inner nature reflected in the outer form of humans? Animals?
4. Give an example of how inner nature determines the value of something.
5. What makes something or someone valuable?
6. In what ways do human beings express their inner nature?
7. Is the inner nature of identical twins the same or do they have unique characteristics? Do you know of any examples? __
Situations for discussion
If the inner aspect should take priority over the outer aspect, what should you do in the following situations?
1. Your father said not to go out alone after dark. You tell him he's being overprotective, but inside you know he's right. Your friend calls and wants you to come over. It's dark. You: A. Slip out the door and go to your friend's house. It's only two blocks away. B. Fret a little, then tell your friend you can't come.
2. Your teacher's voice is calm, but you notice her jaw is tense. You: A. Urge the other students to settle down--the teacher's mad. B. Shrug and continue goofing around--if she were mad, she'd yell.
3. You can't tell what animal is rubbing against your leg in the dark. It's gentle, curious, graceful, and emitting a soft rhythmic noise. You know this is the nature of a: A. Possum B. Bear cub C. Dog D. Cat
4. The alarm has gone off, and you know you have a test today and need to get a little extra studying in before breakfast. Your mind tells you you'd better get up. Your body wants to lie in bed. You: A. Make yourself get up. Good grades are important to your future. B. Figure, "To heck with the test. I'm tired. I need my rest."
Reflection exercise: “My inner and outer self”
Ask yourself this question: What do my inner and outer selves look and feel like at this time in my life? Think of your inner self as your internal, private world of emotional feelings, fantasies, memories, wishes, and thoughts.
Your outer self is the part of you that you show to the outside world, the ways in which you express yourself for others to see: your interests, activities, behavior, accomplishments, appearance, etc. Close your eyes and reflect on your inner and outer selves.
Some images may have come to you that reflect the quality of your inner and outer aspects at this time. They may be contrasting. For instance, you may feel very active inside, with many thoughts and feelings buzzing around. Your external world, on the other hand, might seem quiet, calm, or even dull.
Draw an expression of your inner and outer selves. Use any style that feels right for you: doodles, images, symbols, pictures. You may express your inner and outer aspects in one drawing, or it may seem more appropriate to create several.
Afterwards, look at what you have drawn. Think about what your artistic expression tells you.
Table of Contents
The lesson entitled "Do You Want to Be Happy?" indicated that there are two kinds of happiness that human beings need and seek: physical, or external happiness (comfort, good food, material things, etcetera) and internal or spiritual happiness (joy, friendship, love). Human beings seek two kinds of happiness because there are two aspects to a human being: inner and outer.
Inner nature and outer form
In fact, if we think about it, we will realize that every being has two aspects or dimensions that co-relate. One we may call the “inner nature,” the other the “outer form.” Here are some examples of inner nature and outer form:Human beings: Mind / Body
Animals: Instinct / Body
Plants: Inner directive nature / Cells, tissues
Minerals: Inherent nature / Matter and energy
It is important to understand how these two aspects are related to each other. We will examine this principle in more detail below.
Invisible and visible
A driver with engine trouble is standing on the edge of the road. A repairman arrives, opens the hood, and investigates the trouble. Then he seizes a hammer and gives the engine a strong blow and the engine starts running again. The driver is amazed. But he is even more amazed when the man asks $100 for the repairs. On the bill he reads:1 hammer blow $5"Know how" $95 Total:$100
You might think that this is an example of exploitation, but it shows that knowledge, although intangible, is valuable. Sometimes people say, “I only believe in things that are real and verifiable.” But if we think about it, there are many things that are real which we cannot touch, such as love, beauty, and knowledge. Can we see knowledge or put it in a bag? No, it is invisible.
Another way to understand this is to examine language. Words themselves are bearers of meaning. While one can see a word if it is written down, or hear it if it is spoken, meanings are invisible and intangible. Yet the whole purpose of language is to convey meaning. Words are arranged in a sentence in a particular order so as to convey meaning. When we read a novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, we can analyze his use of language, grammar and literary form, but if we stop there we miss an important dimension of the book. In the same way, when we look at a painting like the Mona Lisa, if we just look at what kinds of paints and colors were used and ignore its intangible dimension, we will miss out on what has made that work of art famous and enduring for hundreds of years. It is the invisible aspect of a thing that determines its value.
The same principle applies to human character. A woman may be physically beautiful but also vain, dishonest, manipulative and selfish. Another woman may be rather plain or even unattractive but also modest, honest, sincere and unselfish. Many people are not good judges of character and do not know how to assess and value a person. They judge superficially and inappropriately, looking only at the outer form (the body) and fail to understand that it is the inner character (the mind) which decides how the outer form will act.
Eric's story
Eric was a borderline geek. He was pale, had pimples, and hair that might have been any color--sort of a mousy brown. He was one of those sub-average kids nobody paid much attention to--a high school nothing.Then one day the music teacher started talking about Eric's piano playing. He said that music just poured out of Eric--that he had the potential to be a great pianist. He arranged for Eric to play a piano solo at the school concert.
Dull, ordinary, slightly geeky Eric was a master when he sat at the piano. The whole auditorium sat in awe-stricken silence as the music poured out and over them, charged with the passion of Eric's soul and the mastery of his flying fingers. No one had known Eric had that much power and beauty and talent inside of him. They were impressed. From then on, people treated Eric with more respect.
Have you ever discovered some hidden talent or ability in someone who previously had seemed on the outside to be a "nothing"?
Order and chaos
Suppose that you have done exceptionally well at school and are to graduate with honors. Your parents promise to buy you a watch for doing so well. How would you feel if they gave you a small bag of gray powder? Hurt? Perplexed? "But," your parents tell you, "It is the finest watch powder. It is a mixture of steel powder, gold powder, and ruby powder, all in the necessary proportions that make up a watch."If your parents gave you such a present you would probably think they were crazy. There is a big difference between a watch and watch powder, even though the material is the same. The difference is qualitative: the method and manner in which the matter is arranged, the function of the watch, its ability to tell the time, and the creative investment of energy by the watchmaker. Someone constructed the watch for a purpose. It is the design, which started in the watchmaker’s mind that determined the shape and structure of the watch. It is the design that adds value.
Another example could be taken from the world of minerals. The element carbon can exist in several quite different forms, such as coal, graphite and diamond. The carbon atoms in a lump of coal and a diamond are identical. Yet the first is soft, black, dull, plentiful, and cheap, while the second is hard, clear, dazzling, rare, and expensive. Imagine what would happen if a man gave his wife a lump of coal instead of a diamond on their fiftieth wedding anniversary! It is not the atoms themselves that determine value, but the way in which the atoms are arranged. The visible external structure is a reflection of the internal invisible structure.
The invisible inner aspect is the organizing principle that allows the visible outer form to resemble its expression. Thus, the emotions we feel are expressed on our faces: When we are happy, we smile; when we are sorrowful, we cry. Our attitudes are clearly revealed through our “body language.” Since this is the case, we can learn and understand a lot about a person's character by studying his or her behavior and mannerisms. In much the same way, scientists try to uncover the hidden laws that govern nature by studying the phenomena they encounter.
For every event that has an explanation in natural terms, there is an invisible dimension underlying the reason why it happened; and it is this which gives it its ultimate meaning. The point is we must recognize both aspects, remembering that it is the internal dimension that determines the quality, meaning, and value of life.
Therefore, we would say that it is a basic principle of the universe that the inner aspect of something, including a human being, takes priority over the outer aspect. It is the inner aspect that holds the true essence of a person, being, or thing. When you are making choices for your life, listen to your inner self--your mind--not just your body's desires.
Example: There was a picture of Hillary Rodham Clinton in one of the major news magazines in the United States after her husband's sexual betrayal with White House assistant Monica Lewinsky. In the picture, Hillary Clinton was smiling. The magazine authors instructed readers to cover Hillary's smiling mouth with their hands and look at her eyes. With the external smile covered, the reader could see the expression in Hillary's eyes, which was one of sorrow, struggle, and pain. Sometimes, even when the mouth is smiling widely, the eyes show us more what is going on inside the person's mind and heart.
Questions for discussion
1. Give some examples of inner nature and outer form in human beings, animals, plants and minerals.2. How would you describe inner nature and outer form?
3. How is inner nature reflected in the outer form of humans? Animals?
4. Give an example of how inner nature determines the value of something.
5. What makes something or someone valuable?
6. In what ways do human beings express their inner nature?
7. Is the inner nature of identical twins the same or do they have unique characteristics? Do you know of any examples? __
Situations for discussion
If the inner aspect should take priority over the outer aspect, what should you do in the following situations?1. Your father said not to go out alone after dark. You tell him he's being overprotective, but inside you know he's right. Your friend calls and wants you to come over. It's dark. You:
A. Slip out the door and go to your friend's house. It's only two blocks away.
B. Fret a little, then tell your friend you can't come.
2. Your teacher's voice is calm, but you notice her jaw is tense. You:
A. Urge the other students to settle down--the teacher's mad.
B. Shrug and continue goofing around--if she were mad, she'd yell.
3. You can't tell what animal is rubbing against your leg in the dark. It's gentle, curious, graceful, and emitting a soft rhythmic noise. You know this is the nature of a:
A. Possum
B. Bear cub
C. Dog
D. Cat
4. The alarm has gone off, and you know you have a test today and need to get a little extra studying in before breakfast. Your mind tells you you'd better get up. Your body wants to lie in bed. You:
A. Make yourself get up. Good grades are important to your future.
B. Figure, "To heck with the test. I'm tired. I need my rest."
Reflection exercise: “My inner and outer self”
Ask yourself this question: What do my inner and outer selves look and feel like at this time in my life? Think of your inner self as your internal, private world of emotional feelings, fantasies, memories, wishes, and thoughts.Your outer self is the part of you that you show to the outside world, the ways in which you express yourself for others to see: your interests, activities, behavior, accomplishments, appearance, etc. Close your eyes and reflect on your inner and outer selves.
Some images may have come to you that reflect the quality of your inner and outer aspects at this time. They may be contrasting. For instance, you may feel very active inside, with many thoughts and feelings buzzing around. Your external world, on the other hand, might seem quiet, calm, or even dull.
Draw an expression of your inner and outer selves. Use any style that feels right for you: doodles, images, symbols, pictures. You may express your inner and outer aspects in one drawing, or it may seem more appropriate to create several.
Afterwards, look at what you have drawn. Think about what your artistic expression tells you.